Leigh Town Council under fire for £8,000 display stands

Residents, alongside councillor Carole Mulroney, have criticised the move claiming it is unnecessary and a “waste of money”.

Chairman Bernard Arscott has defended the decision as a “long-term investment” in the town and said the new display stands could be used for similar events in future, or by community art groups.

The move comes as part of plans to organise the Leigh Art Fair, in the community centre in Elm Road, between November 30 and December 7.

Ms Mulroney described the decision as a “bolt out of the blue” to her and residents.

She said: “Had I been there, I would have objected to it.

“This is a project that has come forward in the last few weeks which no one knew about. It’s all a bit confusing, a lot of people are not happy about it.

“Leigh already has a thriving art scene, it’s a thriving community. We are not quite sure what the purpose is behind it.”

She said that she was not against art in Leigh, but questioned the use of taxpayer money to purchase the displays when the council could make them in-house, or rent the exhibition stands.

Mr Arscott said the new displays will allow the council to undertake larger exhibitions for the community, greater use of the community centre, and also allow more people to get involved with the Art Fair.

He said: “Our report stated that it could be up to £8,000 but it was not necessarily that much, it’s part of a long-term plan.

“It would not be there just for one event, it would be a long-term investment. Whatever is purchased will be invested in the community.

“I want to make it clear it could be a figure of up to £8,000, that was made very clear at the meeting.

“At that meeting, a lot of people turned up and sat through it to listen to our plans. Quite a few people stayed on and were not bothered by it.

“Clearly it’s not as big of an issue as people are making it out to be. The vast majority had no reaction. It’s just the usual suspects making it a problem.”